Annular horizontal current gravity liquid classifier



z- 9- I F. E. SMITH 2,479,141

ANNULAR HORIZONTAL CURRENT GRAVITY LIQUID CLASSIFIER Filed June 29, 1945 Y 11 Shoe'ts-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. FRAN/(fiJM/ TH Arm/M X Aug. 16, 1949.

Filed June 29, 1945 F. E. SMITH 2,479,141

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ANNULAR HORIZONTAL CURRENT GRAVITY LIQUID CLA'SSIFIER Filed June 29, 1945 11 Sheets-Sheet s IN V EN TOR. Fun/(55ml TH A TTORA/EY g- 1949. F. E. SMITH 2,479,141

ANNULAR HORIZONTAL CURRENT GRAVITY LIQUID CLASSIFIER Filed June 29, 1945 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. FRA NKE. JM/ TH A rromvn ug. 16, 1949. F, sMlTH 2,479,141 ANNULAR HORIZONTAL CURRENT GRAVITY LIQUID CLASSIFIER Filed June 29, 1945 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 TOP WATER 0onrs F04 CHIPS REMovAL x TREME Pas/rm 5mm Buck F550 x TREM: Pas/mw Nu r F EEO 606 15 I N V EN TOR.

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ANNULAR HORIZONTAL CURRENT GRAVITY LIQUID CLASSIFIER l1 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 29, 1945 INVENTOR. FRA NA E. 544/7 1 Aug. 16, 1949. F. E. SMITH 2,479,141

ANNULAR HORIZONTAL CURRENT GRAVITY LIQUID CLASSIFIER Filed June 29, 1945 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. FRAN/(fi SM/ TH ,4 TTORNE X Au 16, 1949. F, E, SMWH 2,479,141

ANNULAR HORIZONTAL CURRENT GRAVITY LIQUID CLASSIFIER l1 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed June 29, 1945 g IN V EN TOR.

F/PA NK 5 5M/ TH AZW ATTORNEY.

Aug.l6, 1949. F sMlTH 2,479,141

ANNULAR HORIZONTAL CURRENT GRAVITY LIQUID CLASSIFIER Filed June 29, 1945 4 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR. FRA NK E. 5M1 TH A 7' TORNEK Aug. 16, 1949. rr 2,479,141

ANNULAR HORIZONTAL CURRENT GRAVITY LIQUID CLASSIFIER Filed'June 29, 1945 v 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 l N INVENTOR,

FRANKESM/TH Aug. 16, 1949.

Filed June 29, '1945 F. E. SMITH ANNULAR HORIZONTAL CURRENT GRAVITY LIQUID CLASSIFIER ll Sheets-Sheet 11 Patented Aug. 16, 1949 V UNITED ANNULAR HORIZONTAL CURRENT GRAVITY LIQUID CLASSIFIED.

Frank E. Smith, Niagara Falls, N. Y., assignor to E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application June 29, 1945, Serial No. 602,318

8 Claims. (Cl. 209-172) This invention relates to the separation of solids of difierent specific gravities by the use of a liquid of intermediate specific gravity. 7 More particularly, it relates to a 3-part separation of such solids.

United States Patent No. 2,150,899 discloses a procedure wherein a mineral composed of solids of. different specific gravities. such as coal and its impurities, is separated into sinks and floats by means of a separating medium. United States Patent No. 2,150,946 discloses a procedure to ef-' feet a further separation in the mineral that sinks, and is based on the difference in falling velocity of sink material wherein a. particle with a specific gravity close to the specific gravity of the liquid or medium will fall very slowly and a particle of a specific gravity appreciably greater than the specific gravity of the'liquid or medium will fall faster.

According to the procedure disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,150,946, the materials to be separated are subjected to the horizontal classifying action of a moving stream of light liquid, such as water, and thereafter subjecting the soclassifled materials to the vertical classifying action of a moving stream of liquid of specific gravity intermediate the specific gravities of the materials to be separated, the moving liquids being utilized for the transportation of the separated solids.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved method for the separation of solids of different specific gravities.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method for the separation of solids of different specific gravities by horizontal classification in a liquid of intermediate specific gravity.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for separa-' tion of solids of different specific gravities by currents of a liquid of intermediate specific gravitv.

A further object of-this invention is to provide new and improved means for creating currents in the liquid of intermediate specific gravity.

A still further object of this invention is to provide new and improved means for positively transporting the separations of the sink material.

A still further object of this invention is to provide new and improved means for removing each of the separations respectively.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus in which a plurality of feeds or feeds of different sizes can be fed at different points whereby it is possible to utilize the full area of the separator. for classification.

Other and additional objects will become apparent hereinafter.

The objects of the invention are accomplished, in general, by subjecting the material, composed 2 of solids of different specific gravities to be separated, to the horizontal classification of a stream of a liquid of a specific gravity intermediate the specific gravities of the particles to be separated (hereinafter called parting liquid) in a circular trough in which there is located a de-rafter for breaking up the bed and releasing trapped sinks, a rotating zoner, and devices for feeding the separated sinks to respective outlets in the bottom of the trough through which they fall into bucket compartments of a revolving elevator wheel. By varying the speed of the zoner, the horizontal movement of the liquid can be varied to give a change in the apparent out between the light andheavy sinks. The wheel is divided into two sets of compartments to receive the two different fractions of the sinks. By rotation of the wheel, the material in the respective buckets is carried to where it is discharged by gravity. A perforated cover cooperates with the buckets of the elevator wheel to permit drainage therefrom and retain the particles in the buckets during the up run to the point of discharge. The cover is supported so that it will adjust itself due to irregularities or out-of-round of the wheel. The floats, due to the moving stream of parting liquid,

' are transported to a place where a rotating takeout wheel dips below the float bed and carries it out of the liquid to a place of discharge. Partitions divide the float take-out wheel into compartments and means are provided to retain the floats in the respective compartments during .the up run of the float take-out wheel until discharge.

Since the trough is circular, the outside of the separator has a greater speed and area and, therefore, can accommodate more material than on the inside. Hence, as will hereafter appear, since the feeder should give a uniform rate the full width of the separator trough, the feeder is provided with tapered compartments.

As will hereafter appear, the invention contemplates feeds at difierent points whereby the full area of the separator can be used for classification. Though the apparatus is capable of use with only a parting liquid, it is also capable of use with a stream of water superimposed thereon. When a stream of water is employed, the de-rafter also aids in providing a current therein.-

The nature and details of the apparatus will become apparent from the following'description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a central vertical section of the separator and including the float take-out wheel and the middling and refuse elevators;

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a section on line H of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmental view of the elevator wheel showing the perforated cover;

Figure 6 is a section on line 6--6 of Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a plan view showing details of the tank, partitions and zoner;

Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a section on line lD-lll of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the mounting of kickers in the trough;

Figure 12 is a section on line l2-l2 of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a vertical section of one of the feed chutes;

Figure 14 is a section on line l4-l4 of Figure 13; and

Figure 15 is a linear development on line A-B of Figure 7, showing the details and functions of the separator.

Referring nowto the drawings wherein like reference characters and numerals designate like parts, the reference character A designates an annular separator to which the materials to be separat d are fed from the hoppers B and C. As will hereafter become apparent, the material fed to the separator A is carried around and is separated into floats, middlings and refuse. The floats are .-emoved by a float take-out wheel D, and the middlings and refuse are discharged from the separator into respective compartments of a middling and refuse rotating elevator E, which 'conveys such materials to a position where the contents of the respective buckets are discharged by gravity into chutes F and G respectively.

For reasons which will become apparent hereinafter, the joints of the separator A are made vapor-proof by water seals, and the float takeout wheel D and the middling and refuse elevator E are provided with casings in which the joints are made vapor-proof by water seals.

The separator A comprises a stationary shell having an outer peripheral side wall which decreases in diameter in a direction from the top to the bottom. As shown in Figures 1 and 8, the peripheral side wall of the separator shell comprises three integral sections l8, l2 and H, the section In being of the greatest diameter and the section l4 being of the smallest diameter. The section [2, which connects sections In and I4, is inclined inwardly. The separator shell also has a short inner peripheral wall l6, and an annular plate 18 is secured to the lower end of the section M of the outer peripheral wall and to the lower end l'6 of the inner peripheral wall. A circular plate 20 is secured to the top ends of the inner peripheral wall IS. The circular plate is pro-- vided with an aperture whereby it is seated on a flange 22 of a stuffing box 24 on a vertical shaft 25. The stationary separator shell is also provided with stiflening members 30 and 32.

As is shown in Figures 1 and 8, the inner peripheral wall I6 is of a height which is less than the height of section ll of the outer peripheral wall and, together with the bottom plate l8, forms an annular trough. A plurality of zoners 40 are disposed in spaced relationship with respect to each other throughout the trough. Each zoner is integrally formed with a ring 42 which is secured on a flange of a hub 48 secured to the shaft 25, whereby rotation of the shaft will impart rotation to the zoners in the trough. The bottom of each zoner terminates in spaced relationship to the bottom plate I8, the outer end 4| terminates in spaced relationship to section l4 of the outer peripheral wall of the shell, and the inner edge 43 of the zoner terminates in spaced relationship to the inner wall l6 of the shell.

In order to confine the liquids and to make the separator A annular throughout its entire height, a drum 48 is rigidly secured to the ring 42. The shape of the peripheral wall of the drum 48 is complemental to the outer peripheral wall of the shell. As shown in Figure 8, the drum 48 increases in diameter in a direction from the top to the bottom and is formed in three integral sections 50, 52 and 54. The topsection 50 is of smaller diameter than the bottom section 54, and the intermediate section 52 which unites section 50 and section 54 tapers outwardly in a downward direction.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the peripheral wall of the drum 48 cooperates with the outer peripheral wall of the shell, and particularly with sections l0, l2 and a portion of i4 thereof, to form an annular tank.

Upon rotation of the shaft 25, the zoners will be rotated and, since the drum 48 is secured to the zoners it too will rotate.

For reasons which will become apparent, baflles 58 which serve as wearing plates and guide the sinks into the field of action of the zoners are provided. Each baffle 58 is secured to section It] and is in spaced relationship with respect to section l2 of the peripheral wall. Each zoner 40 is provided with a notch 50 to permit clearance between it and the bafiles 58.

The separator A is provided with a cover 64 which is seated at its outer peripheral edge on a peripheral flange 55 at the top of section H! of the outer peripheral wall of the shell. The inner peripheral portion of the cover 64 is seated on a circular flange 68 carried by a ring I2. The ring 12 forms vapor-proof joints 16 with the rotating drum 48.

Referring now to Figure 1, the separator A is carried on radially extendin I-beams 80, the

respective outer ends of which are carried by columns 82 positioned on the floor 83 of the building and supported by I-beams 84. The inner ends of the beams are secured to an I-beam 85 which is carried on a column 86 carried on I-beams 84. .A beam 90 is carried at one end thereof on a cross beam 92 and at the other end by a column 94 supported by a second beam 84.

As shown in Figure 1, the upper end of the shaft 23 is journaled in a bearing I00 whose flange is supported on a spider I02 mounted within the ring 12; The ring 12 is suspended from beams H2 and H4 of a supporting structure not shown. The lower end of the shaft 26 is rotatably mounted in a bearing H6 carried by the beam 90. A sprocket I I8 secured to the shaft 26 and driven from any suitable source of power drives the shaft 25.

As is shown in Figure 15, the cover 64 is provided with feed inlets I20 and I22 and also with an opening I24 in which the float take-out wheel D is positioned.

As previously explained, two feeds are supplied to the separator A. In the form shown, one size of coal is supplied to the hopper B, and the same or a different size to the hopper C. Since the details of construction of each of the feeders associated with hoppers B and C are substantially the same, only one thereof will be described in detail.

Referring now to Figures 13 and 14, eg stove carried on a support 224, and

206 which regulates the quantity of material delivered from the chute to a rotating feed wheel 2l0. The feed wheel 210 comprises a pair of end flanges 2 12, each of which is respectivelysecured to a hub 214 secured to a shaft 2l6. The shaft 216 is carried in bearings 220 and 222 adjacent the opposite ends thereof. The bearing 220 is the bearing 222 is carried on a support 226. The shaft is provided with a sprocket 230 which is driven from a suitable source of power. The bearing support 224 is carried on the flange 66 of the separator. The

- bearing support 226 is carried on the circular flange 68 of the ring 12.

Since the separator is circular in form, the outside thereof has a greater speed and area and more material can be fed thereto than on the inner side thereof. In order to provide for a uniform feed across the entire width of the separator, the feed wheel 210 is provided with a plurality of compartments 234, the bottom 240 of each compartment being tapered whereby a gradually decreasing quantity of coal will be supplied to the separator from the outer to the inner periphery thereof. The bottoms 240 are also perforated to permit expulsionof air and permit the maximum supply to each compartment. A curved spring-pressed steel plate 244 serves to maintain the supply of coal delivered from the chute 200 to the feed wheel during the upper portion of its travel. A steel plate 248, of a shape complemental to the outer periphery of the wheel, is positioned adjacent the down run of the feed wheel and serves to prevent the coal from being dischargeduntil the point of discharge is reached. The plate 248 is secured to a spring 250 which serves to maintain the plate 248 in position.

At the point of discharge from the feed wheel.

2l0, there is provided a guide plate 254 having side walls 256 whereby the discharged material will be directed into the separator. The plate 254 is carried on a supporting member 260 which is pivoted, at'262, so that, if desired, the plate 254 may be shifted by movement of the support 260 on its pivot 262 whereby the coal may be discharged to the left instead of to the right, as shown in Figure 13. The bottom of the chute 200 is provided with a curved member 264 and it terminates on the cover 64 of the separator.

A housing 210 surrounds the feed wheel and it is provided with a vent 212 for the escape of air.

The pea and buck feeder is substantially of the same construction as that of the egg, stove and nut feeder except that it is smaller in size and in place of a vent a vapor seal is provided in the housing 210.

In the separator, as will hereafter be more fully explained, there is provided a layer of heavy liquid and a layer of water thereon. The rotation of the zoners 40 imparts currents to these liquids. :In order to give uniform flow and prevent eddies, a plurality of parting liquid and water guide plates 300, 302, 304 and 306 are hung from a strap 3l0 carried by the cover 84. As shown in Figure '1, these guides, which extend through the water layer and into the parting liquid to a depth sufllcient to clear the zoners, are curved and concentric whereby they will offer no impedance to and will direct the circular move-' ment of the currents. As also shown in Figure '1, the'rear end of each of these parting liquid and water guide plates is positioned below the flue size feeding and their respective forward ends terminate in advance of kickers 360 arranged in staggered relationship.

Beferring'now to Figures 11 and 12, each kicker comprises a plurality of blades 352 secured on a shaft 354 which is journaled at 356 and 358 in a gear housing 360. A beveled gear 364 is secured to the shaft 354 and meshes with a gear 366carried at the lower end of a vertical shaft 310. The shaft 310 is provided with a sprocket 312 and is driven from a suitable source of power. The vertical shaft 310 extends through a sleeve 314 formed on a support 316 which, at its lower end, is secured by means of bolts 318 to the gear housing 360. The support at the top thereof forms vapor-proof seals 330 and 382 with the cover 64. The casting 316 is mounted on a pin 384 carried on the cover 64. Upon removal of the pin, the support 316 may be elevated whereby access may be had to the kicker or the kicker and appurtenant structure removed. a

The blades 352 of the kickers 350 exten through .the water into the parting liquid and serve to open up the bed to release trapped material and also, since they are submerged in the water layer, to maintain uniform current therein.

Upon feeding the coal into the separator from the hopper B, the coal will fan out substantially as shown to the right in Figure. 15. The light gravity material will float on the top of the parting liquid, and the middlings, since they have a falling velocity less than the refuse, will be conveyed by the currents and deposited on the bot tom of the separator in spaced relationship with respect to the heavy sinks. In order to present a clean surface of the parting liquid for the egg, stove and nut feed,there is provided a plow 40' (see Figure '2) the forward point of which is ju. ahead of the kickers 350. The plow 400 (see Figure 8) is hung from the cover and lies beneatl the surface of the water and on the parting liqui so that it will divert the material floating on ti:

parting liquid, below the overlying water, to hot i sides to provide a clean space for the feed. Thrc' kickers 410, of the identical construction as the kickers 350. are positioned in staggered relationship beyond the second feeder. Some impurities, such as wood chips and the like, float on the surface of the water layer. Beyond the plow 400, water guide plates 420 and 422, which are hung from the cover, extend just below the surface of the water and direct the material floating on the water to a weir 424, from which the floating materials overflow into a top water outlet 426. It is to be noted that the guide plates 422 extend substantially over the entire width of the separator and that the plate 420 is curved so that it will direct the chips and other material floating on the water to the outlet 426.

As shown in Figure 7, in advance of the kickers 410 there are provided concentric parting liquid 85 guide plates 430, 432 and 434. These guide plates are hung from the cover by straps (not shown).

After the removal of the chips and other materials from the surface of the moving stream of water, continuous movement of the parting liquid conveys the floats thereon in position for removal by the float take-out wheel D.

Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, thefloat. take-out wheel D comprises-a frusto-conical casting 480 whichis secured on a shaft 462so that I 15 the peripheral wall 463 thereof tapers inwardly.

One end of the shaft 452 is iournaled in a bearing 454 supported on the cover 64. As shown in FigureJO, the shaft 452 extends through a long sleeve 460, the inner end of which is provided with a stuffing box 464. The outer end of the sleeve 460 is provided with a flange 466 which is secured in any appropriate manner to the flange 460 of a stuffing box 410. The sleeve 460, which constitutes a long bearing, is supported on a shelf 414 supported by a frame, generally indicated by the reference numeral 480 (see Figures 7 and 10). A gear 402 is secured to the outer end of the shaft 452 and it is driven by a gear 404 mounted on the shaft 486 of the motor 408. A ring 500 is secured along its inner periphery to the frusto-conical casting 450, as at 502. A plurality of channels 504 are arranged in spaced relationship about the shaft 452. Each channel 504 has the inner end thereof secured, as by welding, to the tapered peripheral surface 453 of the frusto-conical casting 450. A stiffening ring 506, secured to the channels 504 intermediate the ends thereof, serves to reinforce the channels. A ring 508 is secured at its inner periphery to the outer ends of the channels 504.

As shown in Figure 9, each channel 504 carries a supporting plate I0 to which one end of a perforated plate 5l2 is attached. Each plate 5i2 extends outwardly and at its outer end it carries a stop member 514. The perforated plates 5l2 extend between the rings 500 and 508 and thereby form compartments.

A link 520 is pivotally mounted on a stud 522 in the ring 500. A similar link 524 is pivotally mounted on a stud 526 on the ring 508. A scoop 530 iscarried at the lower ends of the links 520 and 524.

The scoop 530 is provided with a stiffening element 532 which forms a beveled edge at the free end of the scoop. For reasons which will become apparent, the scoop 530 is provided adjacent its rear edge with a bar 534 which is adapted to cooperate with the stop member 514;

As shown in Figure 9, each perforated plate 5l2 is provided with a cooperating scoop 530. Each scoop is so designed that it will, upon rotation of the float take-out wheel in the same direction as the currents, enter the bed of floats in a direction perpendicular thereto and pass therebeneath. Each scoop, upon continued rotation of the wheel, will direct the floats picked up thereby to the perforated plate 5|2 cooperating therewith. The perforated plates 5I2 can be made of a size so that they too can pass beneath the float bed to a greater or lesser degree. Since the scoops and plates 5l2 pass through the water layer, the,

floats are washed thereby and the liquids drain through the perforations in the plates. In general, the compartments formed by the perforated plates H2 and end rings 500 and 508 are open at the top and bottom thereof. As shown in Figure 9, a perforated shield 540 is provided adjacent theouter periphery of the take-out wheel along the up run of the wheel to prevent the floats from flowing out of the compartments. A guide 542 at the lower end of the shield serves to direct the crating perforated plate 512, are carried up to a point where they are discharged onto an inclined plate 550 which directs the floats to a chute 552 which transports the floats to the position for the next operation to be performed thereon. It is to be noted that the chute plate 550 is formed integral with the plate 544 and that any floats discharged on the inclined wall 453 of the castin 450 will be fed therefrom to the chute 552. During the up run, due to the construction of the plates 5l2 and the shield 540, the water will drain back into the separator. As previously mentioned, the float take-out wheel is mounted in a housing 556 provided with vapor-proof joints 550.

In the separator A, provision is made to separately remove the sink fraction. The water and parting liquid in the annular separator are moving at a fixed speed to the left as viewed in Figure 15. When the feed strikes the parting liquid, the floats are separated from the sinks. The sinks, falling at various speeds, are separated into light and heavy sinks. Since they are moving horizontally at a fixed rate, this material is separated into the fan shape shown in Figure 15 and horizontally classified. By placing an outlet in the separator for the heavy sinks at an established distance from the feed point, depending on the specific gravity of the sinks and the speed of the currents, all of these heavy sinks can be made to drop out of such outlet. The light sinks or middlings are carried forward to another outlet provided in the trough.

In one embodiment of the invention, each zoner 40 is provided adjacent its bottom with a yieldable scraper 600 which is designed to move the sinks, particularly those on the bottom l8 of the separator A, to the respective outlets. In the form shown in Figures 1, 2, 8, 9, 10 and 15, each scraper 600 is secured to the ends of a pair of spaced arms 562 and 564. Arm 562 is pivotally mounted on a pm 566 carried by the outer end member 4i of the zoner 40, and am 564 is pivotally mounted on a pin 568 carried by the inner end member 43 of the zoner 40.

As shown in Figure 15, the annular bottom plate l8 of the trough isprovided with outlets 600, 602, 604 and 606. Assuming that pea and buck coal is fed through hopper B, the heavy sinks thereof will be discharged through the outlet 602 and the middlings .thereof will be discharged through the outlet 604. Assuming also that egg, stove and nut coal is fed from the hopper C, the heavy sinks thereof will be discharged through the outlet 606 and the middlings thereof will be discharged through the outlet 600.

To each of the outlets, there is connected a chute and, as shown in Figure 15, the chutes which are connected to outlets 600 and 604 feed the separated middlings to a bucket 6i0 of the elevator E. The heavy sinks which pass from the separator through outlets 602 and 606 are condEucted by chutes to a bucket N2 of the elevator As shown by Figure 2, the elevator E is, in general, in the form of a wheel and, as shown by Figures 3, 4 and 6, the wheel is divided into refuse buckets 6| 2 and midddling buckets 6i0.

As is shown in Figures 3, 4 and 6, the elevator E is provided with side rings 620 and 622. An imperforated partition 624 extending through the wheel divides it into the middling and refuse compartments H0 and H2. The outer periphery of the wheel is provided with a plurality of rings 630 to which is secured a metallic screen 640. The inner periphery of the wheel is open and constitutes the entrance side through which the material is fed from the chutes. For reasons which will become apparent, the inner periphery of the wheel is provided with a plurality of rings 642 which, in the form shown, are carried by the end pieces 620 and 622 and the partition 624 respectively. Partitions 650, formed of a perforated material, divide the wheel transversely to form the respective compartments. As shown in Figure 5, one end of the partition 650 is secured to a shoe 644 extending transversely of the wheel,

and the other end is secured to an angle 646 secured to the rings 630.

The elevator wheel E is provided on its outer periphery with a pair of rails 652, one at each side thereof. The rails 652 are adapted to ride on flanged wheels 654 secured to a shaft 656, the end of which is rotatably mounted in a bearing 660.

The outer ring 620 is provided with a sheave 662 which cooperates with a chain 664 having shoes 666 thereon. The chain 664, as shown in Figure 2, passes around a sprocket 668 mounted on a shaft 610, which is driven from any suitable source of power. A counterweighted idler 612 (see Figure 2) maintains the chain taut. As is shown in the drawings, four wheels 654 are provided and the elevator E rests thereon.

The middlings and refuse are discharged into the respective buckets of the wheel, as previously described. As shown in Figure 1, the refuse in the compartment 612 is discharged in the refuse chute F, which conducts the refuse to a suitable place for disposal. At the same time, the middlings in the bucket6l0 are discharged into the chute G, which feeds them to a place for further treatment as may be necessary.

During the up run of the elevator wheel, after the respective buckets thereof have received the middlings and sinks from the separator, means are provided to retain the materials in the buckets until the point of discharge. Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there is provided a yieldable frame formed in four sections 614. Each section comprises four spaced links 616, each having secured near the ends thereof angles 6'" on'which a wedge wire screen 618 is secured. A pair of smooth plates 68! are secured between the angles. 61! of adjacent sections. The links 616 of adjacent sections are hingedly mounted on a hinge shaft 619. His to be noted that opposed ends 683 of the plates 68l are slightly spaced above the hinge shaft 619. This construction provides a smooth surface over which the material in the buckets rides. A pair of arms 680, each of which has its upper end pivotally secured to the hinge shaft 619, between the first and second section and the other end pivotally secured to'a lug 662 on the casing 684, surrounds the inner periphery of the elevator wheel and positions the frame so that the screen 618 is in contact with the stiffening rings 642. Eachlink 616 is seated in a recess of a pawl 690. As shown in Figure 6, each group of pawls 690 cooperating with one section is mounted on a shaft 692. An arm 694 has one end thereof securedto the shaft 692, and a spring 696 yieldingly secures the other end of the arm 694 to a pin 698 carried by the casing. Due to the tension of the spring, the shaft is urged in such a direction that the pawls which engage the swinging frame sections urge them toward the inner periphery of the wheel. Since the swinging frame is made in sections, it is apparent that the pawls of each section independent of the others will tend to maintain contact between the screen 618 and the stiffening members 642 on the inner periphery of the elevator wheel and that movement of any of the sections will not necessarily effect any movement of the other section. The means terminate, as shown in Figure 5, at the point where it is desired to begin the discharge of the contents of the bucket.

As previously mentioned, the elevator is provided with the casing 684 which is appropriately secured to' the supporting structure and all joints therein are of the sealed type. At the bottom the casting is provided with wells I00 for the reception of any extraneous material and to permit removal of the liquid from the separator when it is desired to clean the machine.

Parting liquid and water, if used, are introduced into the separator in any convenient manner to the desired levels. The casing 684 of the elevator E will be filled with parting liquid to a level lower than that at which it is in the separator because of a greater depth of water in the elevator. The level of the parting liquid in the separator is maintained by separator overflow I02, as shown in Figure 1. The separator overflow I02 is connected at the bottom thereof by means of a conduit I04 to the interior of the elevator casing 684. vided with any liquid level control means, such as, for example, a weir, and the overflow is fed from the overflow I02 through the outlet I06 to any suitable storage supply. The separator has a water layer, the upper level of which is maintained by the chip weir overflow 426. The elevator also has a layer of water,- and the level thereof is maintained by the overflow weir 'lll (see Figure 2).

To prevent leakage of parting liquid from the elevator casing 684, and particularly where the shafts 656 extend therethrough, each shaft 666 is provided with a stufling box adjacent the side of the casing 664 through which the shaft 666 extends. As shown in Figure 4, the sufling box is provided with a wearing sleeve II2 positioned on the shaft. Packing H4 is disposed in a packing housing I I6. A-fiangeI I0 is secured by bolts 120 to the elevator casing 664. A packing gland I22 cooperating with the packing housing "6 maintains the packing H4 in position. The packing housing "6 and the packing gland I22 are provided with annular passages I24 and I26 respectively; Passage I24 is connected to one end of a pipe I28'through which water under a slight pressure is supplied. Passage I26 is connected to one end of a pipe I30 through which water under a. slight pressure is supplied. Obviously, when water under slight pressure fills the passages 124 and I26, water rings are formed which inhibit any parting liquid from passing from the casing 664, and if there be any leakage, water from the water rings will pass into the casing where it will rise to the top of the parting liquid.

Though the invention has been described in connection with the use of both a water stream and a parting liquid stream wherein the desired horizontal classification is obtained, the former may be omitted and only a parting liquid used. In either embodiment, the parting liquid can be any of those disclosed in United States Patent 2,150,899. In place of the usual organic heavy liquids, other media can be used as parting liquids, namely, suspensions of finely divided material such as water suspensions of sand, magnetite, ferro-silicon, clay, and the like. Also, aqueous solutions of salts such as calcium chloride. zinc chloride, lead sulfamata'and the like The overflow 102 is proact area ii can be used as parting liquids. When aqueous suspensions or solutions are used as partin liquids, the machine of course will be operated with a single liquid level. It is generally preferred to utilize water-immiscible heavy liquid as parting liquid covered with a layer of water, but the other types indicated above can be used in practicing the invention.

The velocity of the currents can be controlled by the rate of rotation of the Zoners and kickers. In general, the speed of the take-out wheel the same as the speed of the currents and rotates in the same direction as the flow of the currents.

The feed wheels are not restricted to the construction herein described. Each feed wheel can be made to supply two or more different sizes by forming the compartments thereof into bins by appropriate partitions.

Both the buckets of the flat take-out wheel and the elevator wheel in their up travel pass through the water layer, whereby the materials carried by them will be washed. In order to more completely wash the materials, a water spray may be provided. In Figure 6, there is shown an embodiment wherein water is fed from a suitable source of supply to a manifold 800 from which sprays 802 deliver it to the buckets passing thereby.

The present invention provides a continuous three-part separation of solids of different specific gravities by the use of a parting liquid which is caused to circulate in a circular trough and to which a plurality of feeds are simultaneously fed, and each of the separations, i. e. floats, middlings and sinks, are separately removed from the separator and respectively delivered to stations for such further treatment as necessary.

Through the use of an annular trough, horizontal currents can be obtained without removing the liquids from the machine and recirculating them by large pumps, pipes, weirs, etc. The location of the outlets from the trough at certain distances from the points of feed permits obtaining a true three-part separation. The horizontal movement of the liquid is controlled by the speed of rotation of the zoners.- Thus, by varying the speed of rotation of the zoners. the horizontal movement of the liquid can be regulated to give a change in the apparent out between the light and heavy sinks. The use of a plurality of feeds 'at different points utilizes the full area of liquids for classification. The means for removing the separated material does not remove the liquids from the apparatus. The removal devices are such as to permit the liquids to drain therefrom as the devices leave the liquids. In addition to the foregoing, the apparatus is simple to construct and easy to operate.

Since it is obvious that many changes and modiflcations can be made in the above-described details without departing from the nature and spirit of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto except as set forth in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. In an apparatus for classifying a mineral mass containing solids of diflerent specific gravities, a horizontally disposed annular trough containing a parting liquid having a specific gravity intermediate the specific gravities of said solids, means to move said parting liquid in a circular path in said trough with sufficient velocity to produce a horizontal classifying effect in said mineral mass and make a three part separation, and means to feed a substantially uniform amount of said mineral mass across substantially the entire width of the moving annular stream of parting liquid, said feeding means comprising a rotating feed wheel having a plurality of transversely extending compartments around the periphery thereof, each compartment being tapered whereby a decreasing amount of said mineral mass will be supplied to the annular parting liquid from the outer to the inner periphery thereof.

2. In an apparatus for classifying a mineral mass containing solids of different specific gravities, a horizontally disposed annular trough containing a parting liquid having a specific gravity intermediate the specific gravities of said solids, means to move said parting liquid in a circular path in said trough with sufficient velocity to produce a horizontal classifying effect in said mineral mass, a plurality of spaced feeds disposed above said trough to supply said mineral mass simultaneously at spaced positions in the circular path of travel of the moving annular stream of parting liquid, and a plow positioned in cooperative relationship with the surface of said parting liquid to divert the floats thereon whereby a clean surface will be presented to the feed.

3. In an apparatus for classifying a mineral mass containing solids of different specific gravities, a horizontally disposed annular trough containing a parting liquid having a specific gravity intermediate the specific gravities of said solids, means to move said parting liquid in a circular path in said trough with sufiicient velocity to produce a horizontal classifying effect in said mineral mass, means to feed said mineral mass to the moving annular stream of parting liquid, and a float take-out wheel spaced from the feed and in the path of travel of said parting liquid, said float take-out wheel comprising a shaft, means to rotate said shaft in the direction of travel of the parting liquid, a plurality of compartments, V

each compartment being separated from the adjacent compartment by a perforated plate, means securing said plates to said shaft, and a scoop disposed in cooperative relationship with the outer end of each perforated plate, each of said scoops being of such a design that it will, upon rotation of the float take-out wheel, enter the bed of floats in a direction perpendicular thereto and pass therebeneath and, upon continued rotation, will direct the floats picked up thereby to the perforated plate cooperating therewith.

4. In an apparatus for classifying a mineral mass containing solids of different specific gravities, a horizontally disposed annular trough containing a parting liquid having a specific gravity intermediate the specific gravities of said solids, means to move said parting liquid in a circular path in said trough with sufiicient velocity to produce a horizontal classifying effect in said mineral mass, means to feed said mineral mass to the moving annular stream of parting liquid, and a float take-out wheel spaced from the feed and in the path of travel of said parting liquid, said float take-out wheel comprising a shaft, means to rotate said shaft in the direction of travel of the parting liquid, a plurality of compartments, each compartment being separated \from the adjacent compartment by a perforated plate, means securing said plates to said shaft, means pivotally mounting a scoop in cooperative relationship with each perforated plate, each of said scoops being of such a design that it will, upon rotation of the float take-out wheel, enter the bed offloats in a direction perpendicular thereto and pass therebeneath and, upon continued rotation, will direct 13 the floats picked up thereby to the perforated plate cooperating therewith, and cooperating means on each of said scoops and the perforated plate adjacent thereto to limit the movement of said scoop.

5. In an apparatus for classifying a mineral mass containing solids of different specific gravities, a horizontally disposed annular trough containing a parting liquid having a specific gravity intermediate the specific gravities of said solids, means to move said parting liquid in a circular path in said trough with sufficient velocity to produce a horizontal classifying effect in said mineral mass, means to feed said mineral mass to the moving annular stream of parting liquid, and a float take-out wheel spaced from the feed and in the path of travel of said parting liquid, said float take-out wheel comprising a shaft, means to rotate said shaft in the direction of of travel of the parting liquid, a plurality o1 compartments open at the top and bottom there of, each compartment being separated from the adjacent compartment by a perforated plate, means securing said plates to said shaft, a scoop disposed in cooperative relationship with each perforated plate, each of said scoops being of such a design that it will, upon rotation of the float take-out wheel, enter the bed of floats in a direction perpendicular thereto and pass therebeneath and, upon continued rotation, will direct the floats picked up thereby to the perforated plate cooperating therewith, and means cooperating with the compartments to retain the floats produce a horizontal classifying effect in said mineral mass, means to feed said mineral mass to the moving annular stream of parting liquid,

- means to remove the floats on said parting liquid,

means for feeding the separated sinks to respective outlets in the bottom of said trough through which the sinks are removed, an elevator wheel having a plurality of compartments to receive the sinks and convey them to a position where said sinks will be discharged therefrom by gravity, means to direct the separated sinks falling through said outlets in accordance with the specific gravity thereof to respective compartments of said elevator wheel, and yieldable means cooperating with the inner periphery of the elevator wheel to maintain said sinks in the respective compartments during the up run of said M elevator wheel to the point of discharge, said yieldable means comprising a frame formed of a.

pluralityof independently yieldable sections.

8. In an apparatus for classifying a mineral mass containing solids of different specific gravities, a horizontally disposed annular trough containing a parting liquid having a specific gravity intermediate the specific gravities of said solids, means to mOVe said parting liquid in a circular path in said trough with sufficient velocity to produce a horizontal classifying effect in said mineral mass, means tofeed said mineral mass therein during the up run of said wheel to the point of discharge.

6. In an apparatus for classifyinga mineral mass containing solids of diiferent specific gravities, a horizontally disposed annular trough containing a parting liquid having a specific gravity intermediate th specific gravities of said solids, means to move said parting liquid in a circular path in said trough with suflicient velocity to produce a horizontal classifying effect in said mineral mass, means to feed said mineral mass to the moving annular stream of parting liquid, and a float take-out wheel spaced from the feed and in the path of travel of said parting liquid, said float take-out wheel comprising a shaft, means to rotate said shaft in the direction of travel of the parting liquid, a plurality of compartments open at the top and bottom thereof,

each compartment being separated from the adsecuring said plates to said shaft, a scoop disposed in cooperative relationship with each perforated plate, each of said scoops being of such a design that it will, upon rotation of the float take-out wheel, enter the bed of floats in a direction perpendicular thereto and pass therebeneath and, upon continued rotation, will direct the floats picked up thereby to the perforated plate cooperating therewith, means cooperating with the compartments to retain the floats therein during the up run of said wheel to the point of discharge, and a chute to receive the floats discharged by gravity from said compartments.

7. In an apparatus for classifying a mineral mass containing solids of different specific gravito the moving annular stream of parting liquid, means to remove the floats on said parting liquid, means for feeding th separated sinks to respective outlets in the bottom of said trough through which the sinks are removed, an elevator wheel having a plurality of compartments to receive the sinks and convey them to a position where said sinks will be discharged therefrom by gravity, means to direct the separated sinks falling through said outlets in accordance with the specific gravity thereof to respective compartments of said elevator wheel, and yieldable means cooperating with the outer periphery of the elevator wheel'to maintain said sinlm in the intermediate the specific gravities of said solids,

means to move said parting liquid in a circular path in said trough with sumcient velocity to respective compartments during the up run of said elevator wheel to the point of discharge, said yieldable means comprising a frame formed of a plurality of independently yieldable sections, each section comprising a plurality of spaced links having a screen secured thereto, and means to yieldingly urge said section in contact with the inner periphery of said elevator wheel.

FRANK E. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED.

The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 873,951 Langerfeld Dec. 17, 1907 1,167,638 Edison Jan. 11, 1916 1,186,677 Parker June 13, 1916 1,198,404 Ballantine Sept. 19, 1916 2,150,946 smith Mar. 21, 1939 2,176,107 Smith Oct. 1'7, 1939 2,209,618 Vogel July 30, 1940 2,228,014 Wagelnoort Jan. 7, 1941 2,365,734 'Iromp Dec. 26, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Great Britain Oct. 19, 1933 

